topic Re: Help with insulin!!! in Wellness

Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:33:10 GMT

I have been getting my insulin for a long time...went to the pharmacy and the price is over $200! I had been paying less then $10 for a months supply. I've been on medicaid...I have no idea what's happened. The pharmacist is making calls to see what he can do. Apparently others meds have escalated too...Is it certain pharmacies or is it everywhere?? I feel sick..and scared.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

SeaMaiden — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:37:13 GMT

@emmysmom That is terrible when something you depend on for life becomes unreachable and unreasonable. I hope the pharmacist can assist you to get the price affordable for you. Something is broken in America to allow life saving drugs to be unaffordable 😢

Re: Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:47:14 GMT

@SeaMaiden wrote:
@emmysmom That is terrible when something you depend on for life becomes unreachable and unreasonable. I hope the pharmacist can assist you to get the price affordable for you. Something is broken in America to allow life saving drugs to be unaffordable 😢

Thank you..I lost my mother, my cousin, aunt and uncle to this freakin disease!!

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Alison Wonderland — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:47:27 GMT

This has been in the national news for months now. Congress has even been involved and had at least one bill on the table to address this.

I would recommend talking to your doctor and your pharmacists. There may be some programs to help you. Some expensive drugs have rebate or coupon cards that they provide to customers to brings costs down for the end user. You can also check a website called GoodRX.com, which can tell you if one pharmacy is cheaper than another in your area or get you coupons to use.

My cousin uses insulin for his Type 1 Diabetes and it's been a very scary time for him. There have been cases where someone dried trying to either ration insulin or cut costs by getting over the counter insulin meant for pets. It's a serious problem, so please let your doctor know you need help.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Mindy D — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 19:57:55 GMT

@emmysmom wrote:
I have been getting my insulin for a long time...went to the pharmacy and the price is over $200! I had been paying less then $10 for a months supply. I've been on medicaid...I have no idea what's happened. The pharmacist is making calls to see what he can do. Apparently others meds have escalated too...Is it certain pharmacies or is it everywhere?? I feel sick..and scared.

@emmysmom I’ll see if I can find any way to help you but I need to know which state you live in to search. This should not be happening in America

Re: Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:09:15 GMT

@Mindy D wrote:
@emmysmom wrote:
I have been getting my insulin for a long time...went to the pharmacy and the price is over $200! I had been paying less then $10 for a months supply. I've been on medicaid...I have no idea what's happened. The pharmacist is making calls to see what he can do. Apparently others meds have escalated too...Is it certain pharmacies or is it everywhere?? I feel sick..and scared.
@emmysmom I’ll see if I can find any way to help you but I need to know which state you live in to search. This should not be happening in America

I live in Kansas...No..it shouldn't be happening here..I agree! Thanks for your concern...I just prayed with a friend and I feel much better~

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Kachina624 — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:10:27 GMT

My friend was buying insulin for her dog and found it for much less than anywhere else at our local Walmart Market Store, not the SuperCenter. It is just a grocery/pharmacy without all the other junk. Imagine having to pay $200/no for insulin for a pet.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Leggett28 — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:14:53 GMT

So sorry you have to go through this. Hope the pharmacist can find some way to help you.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

cherry — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:15:22 GMT

@emmysmom call your Dr, They might be able to get help fpr you..Good luck, I am so sorry

Re: Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:15:52 GMT

@Alison Wonderland wrote:
This has been in the national news for months now. Congress has even been involved and had at least one bill on the table to address this.

I would recommend talking to your doctor and your pharmacists. There may be some programs to help you. Some expensive drugs have rebate or coupon cards that they provide to customers to brings costs down for the end user. You can also check a website called GoodRX.com, which can tell you if one pharmacy is cheaper than another in your area or get you coupons to use.

My cousin uses insulin for his Type 1 Diabetes and it's been a very scary time for him. There have been cases where someone dried trying to either ration insulin or cut costs by getting over the counter insulin meant for pets. It's a serious problem, so please let your doctor know you need help.

I feel for your cousin! I tried GoodRx before...still waiting to hear from my pharmacist. He's been taking care of me for years...so I trust him. I was rationing my insulin last year because my previous Doctor wanted to change my script...and I wanted to stay w/the insulin. I finally got a new doctor. I hope yoir cousin's ok, bless his heart! I know of friends that go to Canada because its cheaper there..!

Re: Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:17:06 GMT

@Kachina624 wrote:
My friend was buying insulin for her dog and found it for much less than anywhere else at our local Walmart Market Store, not the SuperCenter. It is just a grocery/pharmacy without all the other junk. Imagine having to pay $200/no for insulin for a pet.

My pharmacy is at Walmart!

Re: Help with insulin!!!

emmysmom — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:18:18 GMT

@cherry wrote:
@emmysmom call your Dr, They might be able to get help fpr you..Good luck, I am so sorry

Thanks cherry...my friend suggested that too. Will call my pharmacist...he should be back from lunch now...!

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Mindy D — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:41:04 GMT

@emmysmom Here is something to get you started. I’ll be back with Kansas programs in a flash. I’ll also be posting the link and citation for this post. I’m having a bit of trouble getting my posts to post here right now. See below the green writing for this info

@emmysmom For another link scroll to my other post on this thread.. This one is from the diabetes assn. look through until you see it.

Here is another site with a couple of state links. This one site might need a bit of checking up in because I didn’t fully get it as a state run entity. Please check it. https://www.staterxplans.us/kansas.html

Below is quoted from this citation and link from https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/living-with-t1d/insurance/help-with-your-diabetes-prescription-costs/#section2

Help with Your Diabetes Prescription and Insulin Costs

All people with T1D should have affordable access to insulin. While sharing the resources below that can help with costs, JDRF is also fighting for changes from manufacturers, health plans, employers and the government to make insulin more affordable. Learn more here.

Prescription costs for drugs to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D) can make up a large percentage of what you pay each year for healthcare. There are a few ways you can lower your prescription and insulin costs: through state and nonprofit programs; diabetes patient assistance programs offered by pharmaceutical companies; medication discount cards; and prescription alternatives such as biosimilar insulin.

In this section we’ll discuss

“I honestly think I got the most help from calling the manufacturer’s assistance programs. They have a really good grip on how their products are covered, and they gave me great advice on how to lower my costs.”
—T1D patient, WY

Nonprofit Patient Assistance Programs for Type 1 Diabetes

There are a number of patient and insulin assistance programs available to help with the costs of your medication, many of them run by nonprofit organizations. They include the following:

FamilyWizeis an organization that offers a no-cost prescription discount card and a website that helps you find the pharmacy with the lowest cost for your prescriptions.
Partnership for Prescription Assistance is a program sponsored by pharmaceutical companies, doctors, patient advocacy organizations and civic groups that helps low-income, uninsured patients get free or low-cost brand-name medications.
NeedyMeds is a nonprofit organization that maintains an extensive database of patient assistance programs, state assistance, medication discount programs and free or low-cost medical care. You can search its database for free. The site also has information on thousands of programs to help consumers through the application process.
RxAssist is an online database of pharmaceutical company programs that provide free or affordable medicines and co-pay assistance.
RxHope is a web-based resource where you can search by medication to locate assistance programs. It also offers help with the application process.
RxOutreach is a nonprofit mail-order pharmacy for uninsured or underinsured people.
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) also has a publication called “Financial Help for Diabetes Care,” which offers information about resources that may help with medical expenses of a person with diabetes. You can view this publication online or order copies from the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse at 1-800-860-8747.

Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs

You may be able to get help with the costs of insulin and medication through drug assistance programs from pharmaceutical companies, known as patient assistance programs (PAP). Each program has its own eligibility requirements for people with type 1 diabetes, so it’s important to check those details. Here are a few programs offering assistance for diabetes medications:

Leading pharmaceutical companies have also created the Together Rx Access Card to help people without other prescription drug insurance coverage gain access to savings on prescription products. The Together Rx Access Card offers 25 to 40 percent off brand-name prescription medications at pharmacies nationwide. To learn more about the card, visit the Together Rx Access Card website or call 1-800-444-4106.

You can also find a program by searching on the medication name here.

Help with Device Coverage

If you need assistance with your pump supplies or CGM, directly contact the manufacturer via their customer service number.

Medtronic: 1-800-646-4633
Tandem: 1-877-801-6901, option 3
Insulet:
- 1-800-591-3455
- advocacyforaccess.com
Dexcom at 1-888-738-3646
Abbott Diabetes Care*: 1-835-632-8658

*Abbott Diabetes Care CGM products are not currently FDA approved for use in pediatrics.

Pharmaceutical Company Co-Pay Coupons

Co-pay coupon cards can be used by anyone, regardless of income, to reduce your out of pocket costs at the pharmacy. They often can be used for one or two years before you must re-sign up. One catch to using these coupons is that to the costs they cover may not count toward your deductible or out-of-pocket maximum. Also, you may not use these coupons if you have Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare or other government health insurance. Read the details for each coupon to determine if the coupon will work for your situation.

You can find more information about each of the coupons here:

Novo Nordisk
MannKind
- Afrezza Savings Card
- MannKind Direct Purchase Program
Lilly
- Baqsimi (nasal glucagon)
Sanofi

If you do not have prescription medication insurance and are paying cash:

Insulin Savings Valyou Program

State-Based Patient Assistant Programs for People with Type 1 Diabetes

Many states also offer medication assistance programs for people with chronic conditions like type 1 diabetes. These programs vary greatly by state, so make sure to check the program criteria. Search what’s available in your state here.

Other Options for Low Cost Insulin

A number of national drug store and pharmacy chains also have their own prescription programs to help customers save money on certain medications. Stores with these programs include Costco, CVS, Kmart, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, and others. Speak with your pharmacist at any of these stores for details.

Community Health Centers

Community Health Centers are health care providers that provide medical care for anyone, with or without insurance and with a sliding scale payment option (your cost to use the center is tied to your income). A list of these health centers can be found here: https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. They can help you access insulin or other prescriptions at a reduced cost.

Ask your physician for samples

If you are struggling to afford insulin, be sure to tell your health care provider. Your primary care provider or endocrinologist may have insulin samples available in their office. They also can help you find ways to reduce your costs by writing a larger quantity prescription, changing brands or formulas or documenting your medical needs for other assistance programs.

Older formulations of insulin

✅✅✅If you are in immediate need of insulin and have no health insurance coverage and limited funds, it is possible to obtain very affordable older types of insulin over the counter from Walmart or Sam’s Club. This insulin is sold under the ReliOn name and costs $25 for a 10mL vial. It works differently than newer insulins, so you will need to learn how to dose it correctly.

JDRF maintains a forum where insurance issues can be discussed

Re: Help with insulin!!!

geezerette — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:22:59 GMT

https://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/37/6/1767:

"The Increasing Use of Higher-Priced Insulins

...Another important trend affecting overall costs for insulin in the last decade is the shift in insulin utilization from the less expensive human insulins to more expensive human insulin analogs (14,17–19) (Fig. 5). While the prices of both types of insulin have increased, the difference in pricing between them has substantially added to insulin costs—both to the health care system and to many patients (17,18) (human insulins are available at the pharmacy for $25 to $100 per vial compared with human insulin analogs at $174 to $300 per vial..."

Re: Help with insulin!!!

NicksmomESQ — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:28:13 GMT

@emmysmom OMG!! I am so sorry that this is happening in a country as well off as ours. Our system is terribly broken.

My hairdressers mom was recently advised that the medication she takes has also gone from $10 to over $500!! He called the pharmaceutical company that makes the drug.After completing some paperwork they determined that she qualified for help. They are covering the entire cost of her medication for a year.At which time she'll have to reapply.

I don't know your financial situation but it's worth a try.

Good luck & please let us know what happens.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

PamfromCT — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:29:22 GMT

@emmysmom, I hope you are successful in getting assistance to make the cost affordable to you. Of course, Canada is always an option. There are mail order sites, and all you need is a prescription. Insulin is not a new drug, and it’s obvious that greed is the factor. Don’t ever try to stretch your supply.

I know someone who gets most necessary drugs here, but she relies on a Canadian site to get a very expensive drug her husband needs. I do know you would be careful and check things out. Best wishes to you. This is shameful that this is happening to you and others.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Mindy D — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:30:22 GMT

@emmysmom More for Kansas residents here https://insulinhelp.org/

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Witchy Woman — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:35:56 GMT

@emmysmom

I buy 5 Lantus pens from Marks Marine Pharmacy in Canada and have been doing so for at least 4 years.

With shipping it is $189. The whole process is very easy. You can call them and speak with someone to get the process started. You do need a perscription, but your doctor can provide that.

I use this for my cat, but it is the very same insulin used for diabetics.

I highly recommend them for your meds.

Both my parents were diabetic and I was always concerned about developing it myself. It is a terrible disease.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Witchy Woman — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:37:06 GMT

@PamfromCT

I just finished posting that I buy insulin pens from Canada.

Their customer service is great and the whole process is very simple.

Re: Help with insulin!!!

Nonametoday — Wed, 15 Jan 2020 20:54:36 GMT

This is the year that all prices increased according to the Affordable Care Act. It was written in the act that in 2020, (10 years from its onset), the prices would skyrocket like this. And they did. Everybody's has. You need to talk to your doctor about alternatives and getting you some medications from vendors.